The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1887-03-11

~ do declare, Marcia Hillman,
you're growing more foolisheyery day
Of your life. What's the use OF think
ing OF what might have been"
& Deep down in her heart, she cherish
ed q secret unsupported by friends and
neighbors, especially by Fred Apple
yard, or Deacon Appleyard, she was
generally called.
Marcia Hiilman had loved him .all
her life. In her girlhood there had
been q brief period when she believed
that Fred Appleyard loved her also,
but his marriage to Ellen Smith had
rudely dispelled her love dream. She
was mistaken in taking for love only
friendship. Ofcourse Fred mad never
loved her was her thought.
But in regard to this matter, Marcia
Hillman was greatly mistak Ell. In
his youth he had been deeply in love
with her, but timidity had prevented
him from making advances and per-
sistent Ellen Smith had captured him
while his heart was still Marcia Hill
mans.
Two weeks passed, and notwith.
standing the pleasure of the day he
had taken dinner with her, still Dea-
con Appleyard had not since visited
Miss Marcia.
There was first one interruption
and then another, After reaching
home that day, he resolved to call
upon her the next Sabbath, but when
the time came, his courage forsook
him. N
He plainly could not go upon an
errand on the Sabbath. He would
wait until week day furnished q
convenient excuse for calling.
The fourteenth of February dawned
bright and beautiful. Miss Marcia
was early astir and was eating break
fast, when little Tony Thompson en-
tered, after a timid hesitating knock,
and handed her q letter.
Miss Marcia took the envelope,
while the urchin volunteered anexpla-
nation.
Pa sentsme over with this letter.
He got it out of the office yesterday,
but it was too late to bring it over
then. !"
Who can it be from? I'm sure the
Writing is nobody's that know" and
assthe boy departed, Miss Marcia pro-
ceeded to,read her letter.
ga valentinel Why, what in the
world! We'll, Inever!" were the excla-
nations which her lips uttered as she
read the tender missive signed aFred
Appleyard."
"And so he wants to marry me, and
will come for an answer this evening.
He always loved me, but never before
dared speak. Yes, l know he's one of
the bashfulest men alive. Thought
he would take advantage OF the day.
He talks like q young fellow. Well!
WE'LL am surprised enough. "
The sun had nearly reached the
"noonmark" before Miss Marcia arose
from her seat, and proceeded to clear
the breakfast table. She thought as
she washed the one cup and saucer
that in a short time she would no long
er Sit solitary at meals.
"It will be pleasant to have some
ono to talk with and take me to
church, and he's q good man, Fred
Appleyard is. Strange, il he's always
thought SO much OF me, that he hain't
come over oftener, but l s'pose it's
his way. Men have odd ways
They're different from women. 1 won.
der what Jonas'll say. Is'pose he'll
be s 'prised for nobody expected he'd
marry again, anyway | didn't, and
I've been murmuring over my lonely
lot"
That evening dressed in her Second
best" gray cashmere, with pink ribbon
at her throat. q faint flush OF expect
ancy on her checks, Miss Marcia sat
in the sitting room before the blazing
fire waiting the arrival of the deacon.
And sure enough MS the clock struck
seven he appeared at the door.
walk right in the sitting-room.
I THERE'S q good fire in there. Let me
help you Off with your coat. Is'posed
it was you when l heard some one
passing awhile ago."
Deacon Appleyard wonderingly fol-
lowed Miss Marcia into the tidy sitting
room and took the easy chair before
the glowing fire, and thought howpr
ty Marcia looked, almost, ii not quite
as pretty as in the old days OF her
eirlhood, when he had hoped and
dreamed that she might be nearer and
| dearer than mere friend.
The good man was silent so long
that Miss Marcia supposed he was
waiting for her to speak, and nervous
ly lingering the ribbon, at her throat,
she began:
II s'pose you're come for your an
swer, Fred, | must say was surpris-
ed enough, when got your valentine
and letter this morning, still I'll toll
you the truth. You say you have al
ways loved me, it is the same with
me. ] cared for you years ago but
thought that you felt only friendship
| for me. Ii you think l can make you
happy, will be glad to become youl
wife,
Deacon Appleyard listened at first
in wonder. There was some mistake,
that was evident, but OF one blissful
part he was sure, Marcia would marry
him and as she concluded, he took her
in his arms with the words:
~ have always wanted you for my
wife. For the pastyear, 1have wished
dared speak, dear Marcia"
What happy evening they passed
| What plans for the future were made
Before Deacon Appieyard took his
leave that evening, he said;
"Let me sec the letter you received
this morning, Marcia"
She brought the letter and he read
it, then said asSsa finished;
"Marcia this letter belongs to your
niece. Jonas daughter. Her name
is Marcia, too, you know. My son
Fred, has been keeping company with
her for some time. lie is i'll Merton
now, and has sent this to her. We
must give it to her."
"And you never wrote thats letter
O, dear what mistake Imade.l What
| must you think OF me? I'm SO sorry"
"Well you needn't be sorry. I'm
wonderful glad about it, and | think
you're the best woman alivel It il a
blessed mistake for q man like sNe,
pand can never feel thankful q ;
that you'v promised to be ms
/ It'll nj ya bia jaf tar fo M arrssr